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Vaccinations

To the Editor: Betsy Wade reported on the death of two travelers after yellow fever infection and notes that yellow fever prophylaxis is recommended by both the W.H.O. and the C.D.C. for travelers in parts of Africa and Latin America. While those who neglect vaccination may, to paraphrase Dr. Woodall's comments, be playing dice with their lives, Ms. Wade and your readers should be aware that immunizations for travel may not be covered by their health insurance.

The text of the Oxford Health Plans certificate, for example, reads: ''. . . the following services and benefits are excluded from coverage: . . immunizations related to foreign travel.'' I am not sure of the reasoning behind this exclusion, since an insurer would certainly be responsible for the terminal care of an insured traveler who survived long enough to return to the United States.

ROSS S. BASCH M.D.

New York, N.Y.

Courtnie Zuckerberg of Oxford Health Plans responds: It has always been the responsibility of the traveler to get all required vaccinations. This is the industry standard, not exclusive to one health plan or type of insurance. Individuals who choose to travel to restricted parts of Africa and other areas need to consider the cost of vaccinations as a normal part of traveling. This is a public health issue, not an insurance issue.